Once Upon a Time Recap: Off to See the Wizard

This week on ABC’s Once Upon a Time, we not only found out why the Wicked Witch is green, but also what her reality-changing endgame is. Plus: Regina gives Robin Hood her heart, and the Wizard of Oz is revealed!

IN THE OZ THAT WAS…. | When a couple finds a baby in the wake of a twister, they name her Zelena and bring her home to Oz. Alas, Dad is none too fond of his daughter’s “wicked” powers, so grown Zelena goes off to see the “great and terrible” Wizard to get answers about her past. The Wizard shows how Cora abandoned Zelena as a baby, then gave birth to Regina to attain royalty status. When Zelena witnesses Rumple teaching young Regina magic, she wants in, so the Wizard gives her silver slippers to click three times to travel to The Enchanted Forest. There, Rumple warns Regina’s sister not to be so envious, as she is literally turning green. And when Zelena goes to kill Regina — only to discover it was a ruse — Rumple says he will no longer train her, as she is disqualified from enacting his curse. “Next time you will choose me,” Zelena warns, before using the slippers to return to Oz.

IN STORYBROOKE…. | After Neal’s funeral, everyone gathers at Granny’s, where Tink busts Regina’s chops about meeting her soul mate but doing nothing about it, while Hook suggests to Emma that he spend some time with Henry to share stories about his dad. After Henry (conveniently) is gone, Zelena shows up to visit her “little sister” and announce a showdown at sundown. Seeking to confirm the Wicked Witch’s family ties, Regina digs up an old letter that upsets her, and which she later shares with a compassionate Robin Hood. The letter was from Rumple, hailing Cora’s firstborn as the most powerful sorceress he has ever seen — words that Regina oftentimes in the past would revisit, for a morale boost. But now she realizes he was referring to Zelena, and that if his assessment is true, “There’s no way I can win this fight.”

Meanwhile by the docks, Hook attempts to teach Henry how to use a sextant (“Like GPS?”/”Aye”), just as he taught Bae, er, Neal, when he was a boy, er, um, whoops. Henry’s now like, “Cut the s–t, oddly dressed man,” and Hook boils the lesson down to this: Neal lost his dad, too, at the same age you are now. You have more in common than you realize.

Come sundown, Zelena arrives on Main Street ready to rumble, unimpressed with the “savior’s” attempt to step in. Regina finally shows, witch-slaps her green menace, but then starts getting tossed around like a rag doll, ultimately getting hurled up and through the clock tower face. Zelena then goes to pluck her heart… only it’s not there. Regina then crushes her foe with this splendid verbal beat-down: “My mother always taught me, ‘Never bring your heart to a witch fight’ — something you’d know if she hadnt abandoned you.” Defeated, for now, Zelena flies off on her broom, while Regina and the Charmings can only wonder what the Wicked Witch plans to brew with ingredients such as a heart and courage.

Later, Regina meets up with Robin Hood, who was standing guard over her heart in the forest. She explains how she had the idea to use the one asset Zelena never had access to — Cora — to thwart her, this time at least. But to be safe, Regina gives her heart to Robin Hood, to safeguard. He reminds her that she still owes him that drink, an idea that, judging by her smile, she seems more amenable to now.

Meanwhile in the storm cellar, Rumple taunts Zelena that if he could do it all over again, he’d still choose to mentor Regina. Zelena counters, “We’ll see about that,” because she’s not out to cast just a curse. She’s looking for a “second chance.” And in the final Oz flashback, we see her ask the Wizard to turn back time, but he says that’s impossible. Zelena then tears away the curtain, revealing a fumbling carny from Kansas — Walsh! Having no need for him in that form, she turns him inco an obedient flying monkey, vowing to find a way back in time so that Regina is never even born.

Sorry but I’m so not a teenage girl and I LOVE Hook! If you don’t actually see what he brings to this show and to Emma then you aren’t really watching! But you can’t please everyone. I’m so excited for next weeks Hook-centric show that I wish it was Sunday already! Hook has changed more than any other character! He genuinely cares for Emma and wants to be the knight in shinning armor for her but he’s not sure how given his history. I love their chemistry. Both Emma and Hook and Robin Hood and Regina have mad chemistry! Loving where this season is going!

Yes times a million. Who can say with a straight face that there are more potential plots for Hook over other characters? next week is going to be one of those episodes that I’ll “accidentally” miss and not bother catching up on. And you know what? Hook should have died, that would have actually been shocking and Captain Swan makes absolutely zero sense. Come at me haters, I don’t give a f**k.

You would do well not to call people with different opinion to yours “pushy online haters”. Just as a general advice, not everyone likes the same characters, that doesn’t make them haters. Are you sure you’re not a teenager?

Sory – I have no idea if you are new here, but every article on OUAT amasses the same lines about Hook, Hook/Emma or whatever their “ship” is called. It is tiresome, repetitive and adds nothing to the conversation. I read the articles because I like the show. I now just skim the comments because there is no real content added. Just a lot of moaning about some people no getting what they wanted… its TV people!

He’s still a regular for whole season even if killed off–so that is why he’s still in the credits. The creators have verified Neal is dead for good AND MATT has also found out and verified Neal is dead for good.

Hook is there for Hook. That’s all he cares about. He went behind Emma’s back and against her wishes regarding Henry/Neal, he throws sexist lines every other episode, he does literally nothing but try to get in Emma’s pants. Useless

Hook shouldn’t be anyone’s male figure. He calls women sluts, he helped Cora kill a village in FTL, he was an assassin for Regina; he kidnapped, hit and shot Belle; he stalks Emma… If you want Henry to have a male figure -which he doesn’t nee, it’s 2014 get on with the program- he has David!

And Regina has slaughtered a village, curse everyone, murdered Sheriff Graham, played psychological mind games on Henry, etc….
Snow killed Cora.
Rumple was the Dark One and murdered Milah, created the curse.
Neal left Emma in jail to take the fall for their theft (despite any good reasons he may have had).
So you’re point is?
All of these character have done terrible things and they’re not black and white. You’re holding a grudge against a fictional character for things that happened a season ago. Get over it!

“Neal left Emma in jail to take the fall for their theft (despite any good reasons he may have had).”

Adam confirmed that’s not what happened, and Neal didn’t know she was going to jail. Hence the later flashback where he said he tried to “lose himself” and he gave August the money and car to give to Emma.

Snow killed Cora because if she hadn’t Cora would have went and killed everyone in Snow’s family. And probably would have made Snow watch before finally killing her too. Neal let Emma go to jail because he thought it was the right thing to do and it would get her home to her family. The big difference? Both Snow and Neal apologized for their actions and expressed remorse for them. When has Regina or Hook ever expressed actual remorse for their actions (Rumple has seemed genuinely sorry at times, especially around Neal)? When have they ever gone to their victims and given an actual apology that didn’t sound like it was being forced out of them (like Hook’s “apology” to Belle in the last episode)?

Going by the Charming’s logic for most of this show–Killing is wrong no matter what. That’s the reason why they kept saving Regina and never killed her all those times when they had the chance and that resulted in so many more deaths. So regardless of intent, Snow still did something bad in killing Cora.

I thought Hook was great with Henry tonight. I’m not even a fan of Henry, but I think he does need someone in his life. Rumple is no good for him. Here’s hoping David could also be a little more involved.

Well, I haven’t watched this ep and going by the recap and comments, I made the right choice last week when I decided to quit watching until this show gets its sh-t together. Hood has been there for like 5 minutes and he already destroys the character of Regina, Emma is getting boring, Neal’s dead, Rumple’s grandeur is – literally – caged, and do not get me started on this waste of screentime and storytelling that is Hook. Can’t he scratch his balls and be gone already?

OUAT is taking the Glee route… poor writing, character assassination, contrived plots/dynamics, male focus and fangirl *squeaaaaaals* pandering. Recipe for disaster. And we know where this leads.

I’ve made this comparison before, too. Hook is the Blaine of Once. Heather Locklear has also had this affect on shows I formally watched. Plus, the writing is just terrible anymore. Makes me think they were plotting the season out while enshrouded in a cloud of pot smoke.

Emma has been boring from almost day one. Hook’s interest in her is the only interesting thing about her, however, I don’t really get what he sees in her. His scenes with Henry are always really good, but then Colin has chemisty with just about anything.

I don’t know about boring, but she can certainly be unlikable at times. She gave Henry up for adoption, now she’s the only one who knows what’s best for him? She throws the Savior card around when it suits her, but won’t embrace a life in Storybrooke with her family? I could go on. I mostly like her, but she is definitely NOT the greatest character a lot of the time.

I agree. I’m baffled by the Hook hating. This show is as good as it has ever been. There are several interesting plot stories outside of Hook & Emma. I don’t know why people are over focusing on that. I like every story they have going right now INCLUDING Hook. Maybe some people are still upset about Neal?

I haven’t seen the promo for next week but when you say it’s all about Hook do you mean it’s it all about him in the sense they’re covering his back-story next week because no that’s not favoritism that’s the format of this show. All of the main characters have had multiple episodes that were all about them Hook is not special.

He is a good actor and if your a woman he is good to look at kinda like Jack Sparrow aka Johnny Depp. Calm down its only a tv show looking for good ratings and a renwal. Captain Hook along with Emma gives the audience fiery, funny entertainment and that’s what shows are suppossed to do entertain

True. Although Snow didn’t exactly pledge her undying love to him the next day or give him her heart (or insert anything of symbolic meaning here). The flashbacks didn’t go in order so you see that they weren’t exactly flirting over whiskey 5 mins after meeting. And I see you’ve taken an intro film class, cool story bro. :)

After she gave him her heart, despite not knowing each other? This gotta be the most rushed relationship going on. I don’t care if they are true love, I still expect some build up. I ship most couples on the show, but I just can’t get into Outlaw Queen or how t’s called.

Such an awesome episode. Loved every minute of from Zelena’s backstory, to Wicked vs. Evil showdown, Henry/Hook/Emma, Robin/Regina. It was all really great and I really think that they’re doing a wonderful job with 3B.
Definitely wasn’t expecting that Walsh reveal or that she wants to create a second chance. Can’t wait till next week.

Right? I was thinking, if not Rumple (which would have been a huge yawn), it would just be some random guest star (like, I dunno, Joel Grey). Never thought Walsh. It’s a day of surprises when the long-lens paparazzi can’t intrude!

I know! I thought that Christopher Gorham’s guest stint was just for one episode. I loved that I wasn’t expecting it. Here’s to hoping OUAT keeps getting better with the surprises with their “big” reveals.

I kinda freaked out at that reveal was not expecting the Wizard to be Henry Grubstick! This episode was excellent loved all the developments with Zelena’s backstory Lana Parilla was great in this episode loved the red gloves vs green gloves!

They released the bts photos a couple months ago with Chris Gorham standing around with Mario Van Peebles, JMo, Lana with her red gloves on, etc so I knew he would be in the episode. I WAS shocked he was the wizard however. :)

in general, I don’t often see complex plot twists coming and like reading recaps and such because it clues me into details & subtleties I might have missed. But in this case, after I read an interview with Adam & Eddie where they were asked if Walsh was only in the first episode, and their response was, “you’ll have to watch and see”, I just had a feeling in my gut, that Walsh could/would be Oz. No idea why, but it came to me when reading that interview.
In the words of Barney Stinson “Self five”!

So disapointed. I thought this was going to be a Zelena vs Regina centric episode, isntead we got so much Hook and Henry and Robin Hood to make me want to quit the show. As an Evil Regal I don’t understand what they are doing to Regina on 3B, everything about Outlaw Queen seems forced and incredibly out of character from her.

Also disappointed that they didn’t really play tribute to Neal. That funeral was less dramatic than the one they held for Archie and he was only a cricket/shrink!

And the dialogue this episode was terrible all around. And next week is all about Hook? I’ll wait until 3×18, written by Jane Espenson, her episodes are always good

So much Hook and Henry? I’m sorry, were we watching the same episode? Their screen time added up to maybe 7 minutes altogether. And Robin Hood was only in scenes with Regina where he was helping her mentally prepare for her fight with Zelena or attempting to give back her heart. It was a Zelena vs Regina centric episode, but they are going to show other characters at some point during it. That’s kind of how this works.

I’m kind of frustrated because I thought Regina was going to be sneaky and take Rumples dagger during the fight. She had the perfect opportunity! Just like when the wicked witch was wrapped in flames. Belle totally had the chance to grab the dagger.

My thoughts exactly. I was expecting Regina to take Zelena’s heart during Zelena’s confusion of Regina’s heart not being in her chest. She had the perfect opportunity! It was a bunch of hoopla for nothing. Sigh. They’re dragging it out way too much.

And Matt—you missed the best line of the night! When Snow is with Regina in Cora’s vault and says something like “Are you sure it’s safe for us to look through your mother’s things? I don’t think a sleeping curse would be good for the baby.”

My thoughts are that perhaps they have set it up for Robin to be the one to steal the dagger…especially since he’s already shown Regina he can take something from under her nose without her realizing it.

Those are Disney’s rules, Aladdin’s to be exact, but Rumple did list them off when he was teaching Regina. Cannot change the past, cannot make someone love you and cannot bring someone back from the dead.

So what’s the loophole here?
Because it’s Zelena’s plan to change things. I If she can’t change the past, maybe she can change the perception of the past. Like getting everyone to forget a whole year.
We’ll see how this plats out.

I was a little disappointed that we did not get to see more of The Emerald city but I guess that will happen during May sweeps. I do wonder who is Zelena’s. father? I am thinking back and I could have sworn the only royal Cora had eyes for was Regina’s. father and that is around the time she met Rumple. I was starting to think maybe the other Royal was Snow’s. father,as revenge against Snow’s. mother but that theory has holes, he would remember knowing Cora when he met her to thank Regina for saving Snow.

I kind of expected/wanted Whale to be the Wizard since I watched The Doctor from season two. I thought there were enough hints for him to be the Wizard. I’m fine with Walsh though. I wasn’t expecting him even though I thought Christopher Gorham was too big of a name for just one episode.

@Ebee’s, Thank You for making the suggestion of Joel Grey as the Wizard, as I had totally forgotten that he was the original Wizard in the Broadway production of Wicked!!!. Honestly, HOW have Adam & Eddie not secured him as a guest character for OUAT 3b?!? Joel Grey is still acting on TV shows and has been involved with two or three projects that work with the story of Oz, so its a great fit. It would be amazing if they could make it happen & he doesn’t have to play the wizard, just a cameo. Actually, it would be fun to have actors who have played a past version of a character currently having their story told on OUAT, to have a bit part or a cameo within the evolution of the story. just a thought

This is like #SaveHenry all over again, in which most of s3 wasn’t about saving Henry but about Emma dealing with two man-child fighting over her and Tink starting her pro-Robin Hood campaign. S3B is promoted as WickedvsEvil but mostly we are getting Robin stalking Regina and appearing in the right places, at the right time, and Hook trying to woo Emma — again. No Rumbelle, no real farewell to Neal, no Henry/Regina…And Regina entrusting her heart to a stranger she just met but not entrusting the letter to Emma and Snow? It makes NO SENSE. This episode was mediocre at best

Actually if you think about it, Regina giving her heart to Robin Hood was pretty smart. Zelena is looking for her heart, and the first people she would more than likely go to would be Emma and Snow. The last person she would think about going to is Robin Hood.

I am this close to quitting the show. I am really sick of Hook and I am really annoyed with how out of character Regina is with her scenes with Robin. She gives this stranger her heart? What the hell?! She’s known him for three seconds. *rolls eyes*

Whatever.

It’s getting to the point that not even Lana Parrilla can save this for me.

A stranger? He’s not only the man that Tink told her was her soulmate all those years ago but she’s clearly felt drawn to him in this episode and the last. I wouldn’t be surprised if more happened between them in the Enchanted Forest last year than we realize, and that that’s why, just like when Mary Margaret and David felt drawn to each other in season 1 but couldn’t explain why. It was the submerged memories.

You are obviously missing the point of Regina’s transformation. Throughout the show she has been on a journey to change herself and her life choices for Henry. She knows that Robin Hood is soul mate thanks to Tinkerbell. Why should she not give him her heart. Catch the symbolism there? I do wish she would keep some of her spark though and not be so beaten down by that crazy Zelena. She still can whip out some of her evilness when necessary!

First off I don’t ship anybody — if Emma ends up with hook so be it — but tonight was just creepy in the fact that he’s hitting on her literally just after her baby daddy’s been buried — now that’s low… Him talking to Henry about his dad sort of redeemed him but then to try his luck again while Neil hasn’t even been buried two days come on this now seems forced… If they have to be a couple at least don’t force it on us at every opportunity. Let the story develop naturally like Belle / Rumple — Ragina / Robin you get my drift.

Not really. I couldn’t stand Neal as any regular on here will confirm. But IMO Hook is a weak, self serving, conscienceless pig. He took Milah away from her child [how could a man love a woman who would do that?], was physically abusive, lethal etc to Belle, he has no morals whatsoever.

I’m sorry, “took” her? I’m pretty sure she left of her own free well. If she wanted Bae, she could’ve taken him with her, it’s not like Rumple would have been much of a threat at the time. Blaming Hook for Milah leaving her son does not make sense.

“how could a man love a woman who would do that?”–> How could a woman continue to love a man who ripped out his own wife’s heart and crushed it into pieces in cold blood? How could a woman love a “beast” who has killed hundreds of people to serve his own selfish need to find his son no matter what the cost?
Bottom line, these aren’t perfect characters. They all have their problems and their flaws.

LOL…
No I actually think Rumple/Belle apply perfectly in this situation. So many people “never condoned Rumpy’s past acts” yet they are so willing to forgive and move on and accept him as a changing man, but they constantly vilify Hook despite efforts to change and move on from revenge…(insert rebuttals about him only changing for Emma…………**eye roll** considering how Rumple for the majority of the show so far only truly changed for Belle and his son and not really much from his own desire to be good [“You owe me a favour”] until this past midseason finale when he sacrificed himself to save everyone).

It’s not really “another area” though. I used Rumple as part of my example to illustrate that they’re both villains who have been or are currently on paths of redemption and both are examples of characters being held to different standards by the fans and not treated equally. One is pretty much forgiven for past-doings and the other is never even given the chance by some people (as evidenced by you bringing up some of the things he did decades and even hundreds of years before). Anyway, it’s your choice not to see it.

@Stormy @abz @Katherine215 All the characters have all done things they aren’t proud of, its part of the story. The topic that started this thread though wasn’t if Belle and Rumple where moral or if it was an act of revenge. I was hinting the fact didn’t anybody else find it cold and in poor taste that the dust hadn’t even settled on Neil’s grave and Hook was trying to hit on Emma. or to take the current characters out of the equation. If you are after your Bests friends wife or girlfriend and the best friend dies you aren’t going to go and chat her up at his wake (like in the show). Like I said in my original post it just seemed creepy and low. And now totally forced if they have to be a couple let it develop not hammered down our throats so it becomes unbelievable.

@Mark I never saw that as flirting or hitting on her. All he was doing was trying to briefly comfort Emma and since he knew Neal there was a better chance of him helping Henry understand what was happening.. And if you wanna get technical, I don’t think they showed anyone talking at all during the funeral scenes.

Awesome. I enjoyed all of the surprising turns, from Walsh being the Wizard to Regina taking out her heart out and actually using her “heartless mother” as an advantage, and of course Zelena’s endgame plan being revealed. Although the prospect of time travel always has me a little nervous too, but then we’re not quite there yet. For now Regina’s heart should be safe.
Rebecca Mader was once again impressive as Zelena and I really liked her dynamic with both Robert Carlyle in FTL (Rumple got some great zingers too) and Lana Parrilla in present day. And boy, you can tell that’s Cora’s daughter right there. Cora was a hothead and she certainly pased that on to Regina, but Zelena takes it to a whole new level. The way her anger and bitterness manifested itself in her voice and entire body language during the witch fight and after she realized that Regina had tricked her… Rebecca Mader did a great job with that.
I would have maybe liked to see a bit more of the fight, but I can imagine that these things must be rather difficult to film and even more so if they’re not working in a green screen studio. Would have appreciated some more Tinkerbell scenes as well, but there was so much going on that Regina was right about having other things to discuss than Robin Hood and his lion tattoo. ;) I do love those two, though. Robin pickpocketing from Regina was another little highlight and the snark between them is always fab. Lots of nice chemistry between the actors too and I won’t even pretend that I didn’t melt a little when Regina literally offered him her heart. Only on OUAT. ;)
I wasn’t all that into the Hook and Henry stuff, partly because I think the show glossed over a lot with regards to Hook and Neal and their past this season. But off the top of my head that’s honestly the only thing that didn’t really work for me in this episode.

As much as I love Regina when she’s not being ooc, I’m loving Zelena. Bex has been an incredible addition to the show. Too bad in making her so crazy -like Pan- she seems irredeemable and will probably disappear on 4×01 :(

So you’re saying that if the writers opened the next episode by having Regina attempt to make out with Belle, that wouldn’t be out of character? According to what you said, anything that the writers put out for us to watch is “character development.”

Regina making out with Belle would be OOC, but for Belle too. But Regina slowly (and yes despite others outcries, it is moving slowly) opening up and literally giving her heart to Robin Hood is character development. Remember this is a woman suffering from a broken heart, and wanted nothing but love. The reason she adopted Henry was so she could have something to love. And she know Hood is supposedly her true love, so she is proceeding with caution but characteristically intrigued by this romantic prospect.

@misscvi: I’m not arguing about Regina’s feelings for Robin, I’m just arguing WTF’s ridiculous assertion that the viewer is supposed to take and swallow anything a TV writer throws at them without question.

In a show with flying monkeys, dwarves that hatch from eggs, and tasers that apparently conduct through wood, I haven’t seen anything as ridiculous as Regina Mills literally giving her heart to someone she barely knows. A close second is Captain “I sold your father out” Hook bonding with Henry. Thank god for Zelena and Rebecca Mader.

Exactly. Being declared a soulmate via pixie dust is apparently the only reason and it’s not good enough. It is a plot device being used in place of showing actual character motivation. And the Hook/Henry scene was only endearing because it left out a huge chunk of truth and it is incredibly difficult to accept Hook’s fondness for Bae when it was never shown in Neverland. It was shown in 2×22 and then completely dropped until the last two episodes when it became convenient again.

If you read my original my post you will see that I quite enjoyed the Zelena storyline as I do many other facets of the show. That is why I watch. That does not mean that I can’t dislike other parts of it. Nor does liking a show mean that I shouldn’t critique it. Feedback of all kinds is a valuable part of the creative process.

Yes, because the course of the show hinges in your feedback. Please, go on. Tell the writers what you think so they can be sure to cater their scripts to your desires. I would hate to see you dislike any portion if this fantasy show.

Come on, now you’re being downright RUDE. Jennifer made some valid points and didnt resort to ridiculous shipping comments to make her point (which seems to be your beef with people).This is a comment section, for both good and bad ones. That’s part of the fun of discussing these things. People are allowed to not like certain parts of the show and shouldn’t be ridiculed for that.

@WTF actually Adam Horowitz responds to fan feedback on Twitter all the time, including several tweets of mine and he has specifically said that he values feedback, including criticism. Do I think my opinion is going to singlehandedly determine the course of the show? Of course not. But our feedback is heard and it is not unreasonable to think that it may be taken into consideration at least in some small way. Furthermore, a critical discussion among fans has its own intrinsic value regardless of the impact it may or may not have on the show itself. I don’t know why the idea that I might not love every aspect of the show should be so disconcerting to you or why the genre of the show has any relevance.

@Jennifer – just because you are the loudest and most outspoken doesn’t mean you are the majority. I don’t stalk the writers on Twitter, so they probably have never heard my feedback. I love the show, love the writing and am enjoying the entertainment.

@WTF: Actually what the writers think of the show really has no bearing on what the viewer thinks of the show. Remember how the writers thought that by having Tamara kill The Dragon and August with a stun gun we, the audience, would automatically assume that it was a “special stun gun” without question so they wouldn’t have to explain it? They think things all the time that the viewers are allowed to both question and disagree with.

@WTF I don’t know who this “you” is that is supposedly the loudest and most outspoken but nowhere did I claim to be part of a majority. I love the show too, just not every single part of it. If you do, good for you. If you are 100% satisfied with the show and dissenting opinions are as insignificant as you claim, then they should not matter to you and we can all carry on.

There are plenty of places Regina could have hidden her heart. Even being “true love” should not be an automatic seal of approval for someone with Regina’s trust issues. And where did I say I hate Hook? I hate crap writing. There’s a difference.

I don’t understand why you’re so upset about this at all. Robin Hood is not some random stranger. He and Regina spent an entire year together in Fairytale Land and last week the show established that although they may not remember all the details they feel drawn to one another and being together gives them a sense of deja-vu. It’s like back in season 1 with characters like David and Mary Margaret.
And leaving her heart with Robin Hood was a smart choice in my opinion. She can’t trust the Charmings with it because they’re not the sharpest tools in the shed and they and Henry are the ones Zelena isi going to check for it first. Leaving it around somewhere is not a good idea other. Look how well that worked out for Cora. But Robin Hood is not on Zelena’s radar as far as we know, he’s a man of honor and someone Regina feels she can trust. It made total sense to me.

It is a far leap from being drawn to someone to trusting them with your most vital organ which could be used to control or kill you, particularly for someone with Regina’s history and trust issues. She could have magically protected it somewhere or left it with, say Tink, who is actually sort of her friend.

I disagree that it is out of character or unusual. Regina has been progressing towards this since her redemption arc began. She’s known about her true love for decades. She’s had a lot of time to reflect on her choices and become brave enough to take a step towards happiness.

She knows Robin is her true love, so she knows he won’t try to use her heart against her. It was also a symbolic way of saying she’s ready to move forward and be happy.

I agree wholeheartedly that Regina is progressing towards opening up to love and I am all for it. She may have known Robin was her true love for decades but her redemption only began at the end of season one. Since then, she has made progress but it has been slow and painful, with setbacks along the way. And it has been a joy to watch. So to see her seemingly sprint to the finish line within a couple of episodes? Where is the emotional payoff in that? The true love label is an excuse that is being spoon fed to the audience rather than actually showing a character motivation for why Regina would open up to Robin Hood in particular. Between that and the heavy-handed symbolism, if this is indeed Regina’s happy ending then it lacks any and all subtlety or nuance which is a complete shame for a character as layered and complex as Regina.

I think her motivation is simple – she wants to be happy. It’s hard to change, so I think it’s easier for her to open up to a stranger who happens to be her true love over say, Snow. She’s known Snow for so long, but as one thing. I think it’s hard for her to be vulnerable with people who don’t necessarily expect to see her in that light.

I’m all for the slow burn, but I like the current pace. Probably because I feel like they have been talking about this forever, so it’s nice to see there’s finally some movement on this front.

Regina can protect her heart with magic, yes. But magics can be traced by others, not to mention that Zelena is a much more powerful witch than Regina, and with the dagger, she practically rules the magics

What’s really dumb is that it wasn’t REgina’s fault and yet, Zelena is jealous of her. Well so what… Get a grip. This is turning into another teenage soap opera drama… I can’t have what you have because I was abandoned and you had everything.. I hope that future episodes are much better. Even the Neverland story line was much better. Peter Pan wanted the heart of a true believer, whereas Zlenea is envious. Get a grip lady

This is not ment to be an insult, please do not take it that way. Are you an only child? I ask because the bitterness that Zelenia exhibits is an extreme that can manifest between siblings. The oldest works hard, but they believe the youngest is just given what the oldest worked hard for. Or the oldest believes they should have gotten something first, but the youngest gets it, can lead to feelings of jealously. Is Zelenia an adult and need to move past her hurt, of course. But the motivation behind her actions is very real.

I think you hit the nail on its head. I read somewhere that both A&E say that if they could get Jamie Dorian back as the huntsman than there would be a way to do it at the end of this current season. What better way than going back in time.

Thought the Lion of the tattoo represent England. Too lazy to look up whether it’s red lion or red dragon on the old England flag. I thought his tattoo was something he had in memory of him went off to fight along with the king for the Holy War. For king and country or something like that.

I believe in OUaT, they are going for the Lion being related to the Charming Family Crest, which has a Lion that Hood has a tattoo of on his wrist, flowers that Emma has a tattoo of on her wrist, and a red arrow that points from the Lion to the Flowers.

Agreed. I really like CS/Hook, but there was so much more going on in this episode that it was barely even about them (it was actually more about Henry). Yet, the minute the man shows up on screen they start getting their keyboards ready to spread the hatred. People just need to get over it and move on. I hate how these comment sections have turned into Glee. Despite all of the Blaine/Sam hate, they are still there and staying and all of the complaining didn’t do a single thing about it. Hook is a series regular and that isn’t changing for the time being. It’s an ensemble show with so many characters. Find some parts of the show that you actually like and just enjoy them!

I hate the show now because of the constant dropped characters and storylines and the character annihilation that is used to further ships that don’t make any sense. Shipping is a byproduct of crappy writing. Remember when Hook was a bad guy and actually fun to watch? I’m not here for him stalking an apathetic Emma and trying to get in good with Henry before Milah’s son’s body is even cold. Ugh.

The problem is, she’s not exactly welcoming, is she? If you consider all of Emma Swan’s facial expressions when dealing with Hook over the last two seasons, she’s given him…one smile that wasn’t sarcastic? And that was before she kissed him…and when he brought up the kiss later and started getting all moony-eyed over it, she was back to rolling her eyes and telling him it meant nothing.

Emma’s non-reactions to Hook are deliberate, they’re intended to bait the CS shippers, and they work like a charm. But the people who insist she really enjoys his company are all clearly smoking something.

@abz Adam and Eddy stated in an interview that Emma finally gets a friend this season that is not her mother. I think she wants to be friends with Hook, that’s why she allows him around but as soon as he oversteps his bounds or flirts with her, she rolls her eyes and walks away. That’s what my tv shows me at least.

I don’t get the Hook hate at all. He’s definitely not done the most evil on that show but whatever. To each their own I guess. I actually enjoyed the Hook/Henry parts and the Regina/Robin scenes. They made the episode. Zelena just isn’t an interesting bad guy to me. I just don’t feel a connection with her. Every other villain on this show has had an interesting backstory but really, you’re jealous? That’s your deal? I’m going to need more because right now I’m not invested in her at all.

I don’t think I’ve ever come on these recaps and people weren’t whining about something. It’s either the neverland arc or the Zelena arc or the excessive Hook. No one is ever satisfied. Is this ship-driven or????

Yeah. I am a fan of the show, but it’s not my life and I don’t give a flip who Emma dates. I’d like to see the show continue and not be ruined by morons whose life revolves around who Emma Swan ends up with.

Sigh…..I think we all know how this is going to go.. Robin has her heart. Zelena will see them together at some point and figure out that Robin is her weak spot. She’ll use Robin to get to Regina and probably end up killing him, or will succeed in getting her heart.

I REALLY REALLY hope that doesn’t happen….She needs her happy ending. Plus I like Robin Hood.

I mostly liked the episode except the Regina/Robin stuff, not feeling them.Liked getting Zelenas backstory and it’s interesting how she’s both Dorothy & Wiked Witch of the West.So she wants to turn back time, but what does she want with Snowings baby?This Wicked arc is far better IMHO than the Pan/Neverland arc,the Enchanted Forest present arc & the Greg/Tamara arc.Rebbeca Mader is great as Zelena.If Zelena had been raised by Cora, she’d realize Regina’s life wasn’t such a picnic.

Overall, a good episode. They did enough pandering to the shippers to keep them at bay for another week while giving us Zelena’s back story. It was well paced. There’s a way for Regina to beat Zelena, but I wonder what happens if Zelena somehow manages the to do steal Regina’s place. Because magic always comes with a price.

So I’m distracted by this point and go with me that Rumple was lying with his confirmation test because that is clearly pre Belle time and Bae might still be around maybe Zelena isn’t related because how would Walsh know?

Why are people having a hard time with Regina giving her heart to Robin Hood. After all, she knows that the is supposed to be her soul mate as prophesied by Tinker. I would understand people rejecting the plot line if Regina wasn’t aware of the prophesy.

First of all.. Great recap, Matt. Well done.
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I did not see it coming with Auggie, Ah Walsh as OZ, but I did get the courage from David meant the next items being a brain & a heart. I just thought maybe Snows heart (pure) or Henry’s (he believes) or even the savior Emma. But Regina’s heart? Totally thought Emma might become Dorothy (Henry is toto) who would travel to OZ.. Which makes even more sense now that Walsh is OZ, cause something tells me he did love Emma that year and ultimately will help her. Which leaves us with our Stroybrooke librarian (with the brains). Even though, right now, Belle makes a great candidate for supplying the brains.. How I wish Alice, Cyrus and the Knave would stop in and join forces. (I really do miss a Wonderland already). Alice is more brainy and clever with puzzles after all…

Maybe someone can answer this for me, I may have missed something. Since Regina cast the spell that altered Emma & Henry’s memories, why is it that she can’t make a potion, or cast another spell to restore Henry’s memories? o.O

It was part of her casting the curse to take them all back to FTL to escape Pans death curse, remember? She didn’t just provide them new memories, the curse wiped their memories of SB so Regina gifted Emma with a happy life.

I somewhat disagree. If it’s one thing the show does almost consistently well is with its casting department. The only casting that I can remember off the top of my head that I personally think they completely failed at was Kristin Bauer van Straten as Maleficent (totally destroyed the awesomeness of that villain) and Michael Raymond-James as Neal (didn’t embody the character well and poor acting in the role).
I think Robbie Kay was amazing as Pan and Rebecca Mader is doing a great job as the Zelena/Wicked Witch.

“Pan and Zelena are poo” –> Seriously, how old are you?
And no. Kristin Bauer is great on True Blood, but her cutesy and pink performance of Maleficent completely destroyed that villain. Also, MRJ was great on True Blood as well but his performance as Neal was a very lazy one IMO.
We can agree to disagree.

Thanks for the article, Matt :) Everything Once is always appreciated.
This week’s episode was not as grand as last week’s but I still really enjoyed it!!

I have to say that Zelena’s backstory was very interesting but it didn’t make me more undesrtanding towards her…envy is so much harder to relate to than anger after a huge loss has been suffered. But I guess we’re not supposed to relate to her – she’s the villain and she’s awesome at that :)

I’m already such a huge fan of Killian Jones but every episode makes me appreciate his character more. I loved their scenes with Henry. It was so visible that Hook genuinely cares – not just about Emma – but about Henry. There was a moment there where we could actually see that flicker of recognition in Hook’s eyes when he saw Bae in Henry – Colin O’Donoghue is a truly gifted actor.
For some unfathomable reason there are people out there who dislike Hook, to put it mildly. But I really don’t get that. He’s been nothing but sincere and selfless ever since he turned the Jolly Roger around in the S2 finale. He has proven over and over again that he is interested in Emma’s happiness and would do anything to contribute to that – whether he gets anything in return or not. And I don’t just refer to him saving David (and not intending to tell anyone about it) or the fact that he instantly told the Charmings about Neal being alive in Neverland or even being the one who crossed realms to find Emma in NY and save her from a life based on lies. It’s a million little things he does all the time, being a true friend to her. Advising her not to go down the same path he did after losing Milah is just one example of that – and such a huge admission of remorse. Unlike Rumple who has not shown any regret over killing Milah, or Regina who openly stated that she has no regrets, Hook is acknowledging past mistakes and making amends. So since I LOVE Rumple and Regina – how could I possibly not love Killian Jones?
People who don’t see Hook as the man of honor he clearly is when it is being spelled out for us on screen on a weekly basis are missing a whole lot. Killian Jones is a fantastic character, flawed and real. More than anything he’s fueled by love and he always lets his actions speak louder than words. The fact that he respects Emma and always gives her the space she needs to make up her own mind and decide what she wants is remarkable. As is his quiet determination to push on even when Emma’s walls are so insanely high.

I can’t wait for next week!! Hook centric episodes are always very layered and so well written. Finding out HOW and WHEN he managed to cross realms to find Emma is something I’ve been dying to learn. So I’m hoping that Adam and Eddy will never stop giving us Killian Jones – he is very (!) much loved and appreciated.

I don’t understand this Rumple vs. Regina vs. Hook thing many of you fans have got going on. Rumple and Regina have admitted that they’re villains and that they’ve done terrible things. That none of that has made them happy and is a path they would advise. Remember Regina talking to Tink about that very topic in Neverland, for example, preventing her from going down the same road she did? I understand wanting to defend your favorite character. What I don’t understand why fans often have to drag other characters into this and try to make them look worse to prop up their favorite.

Oh, I actually completely agree with you. It’s just that whenever I read negative comments on Hook people very often try to compare him to Rumple and Regina and make him out as being much worse. That’s something I never understood. I appreciate you pointing that out.
Every character on Once is a character in his/her own right and should not be compared to others. It’s just hard to undertsand how people can easily defend clearly villainous acts but hate on someone who’s never gone down such a dark path himself.

I liked it. Zelena is a fun villain. Totally insane but fun. I’m happy she’s no longer pretending to be a nice person. So she has Rumple’s brain and Charming’s courage. Now she needs Regina’s heart. I wonder if the blood she had the flying monkey take from Regina in the midseason premiere will come into play again too. I’m excited for this story and that’s why I was disappointed when the promo showed some pirate story with Hook in the next episode. I would like to see more of the year the other characters spent in the Fairytale Land. We saw too little of it so far. But maybe the week after.

I thought it was very clever, how they made Zelena, Dorothy. I never saw that coming. Some parts of the show seemed a little slower then others but that happens and I still enjoyed it. I almost started to feel just a little sorry for Zelena but when her backstory progressed, wow. Just take the “W” away from witch and insert a “B”. Blaming Regina who knew nothing about having a sister, well that is downright wrong. What about her mother, where is the hate for her? Also, who is her father. I guess that is another storyline that we have to wait for.

You are probably right, J. I thought about it after I posted the comment. Zelena is the Wicked Witch of the West, so I wonder which female character will have the honor of eventually putting these shoes on and tapping them 3 times so they can return home, I would think to StoryBrooke?Also, the Wicked Witch of the West had to die in order for the shoes to have been worn by Dorothy, so does this mean Zelena will die???

Zelena certainly had a Dorothy-like aspect to her — brought to Oz by a tornado, given the slippers, unmasked the Wizard. So I think it’s a fair comment. After all, Ruby is the Wolf, Rapunzel was her own captor, etc.

I think of Zelena as the Wicked Witch of the East. She was the one who had the slippers when the house fell on her. Glinda then gave the slippers to Dorothy and the Wicked Witch of the West was trying to get the slippers back. At least that was the movie story. Was the book different?

So this is what I am thinking. All of this is my own speculation, if you’re not into reading speculation I highly suggest you don’t conintue reading this.

My apologies if I am duplicating someone else’s thoughts, I don’t have the patience (sorry) to read through all the comments.

Anyway after last night’s show, it appears that Z wants to turn time back, or at least go back in time to make sure Regina was never born. Not that she wanted to make sure Cora didn’t abandon Z as a baby, because it’s not that she wanted to be raised by Cora, it’s that she wanted Rumple to choose her. First off, if you can go back in time, wouldn’t you go back and NOT try to kill Regina, therefore showing Rumple she won’t let her jealousy “become” her? So it must be something where she can’t really go back in time, but can make it so Regina is not born, therefore leaving Z to be the only witch that Rumple can use for the curse (so she thinks anyway). OK, so far so good. it looks like she needs a heart (and I guess it has to be Regina’s), needs courage (has Charming’s already) and needs a brain. At first last week I was thinking maybe she’d take Belle’s brain as Belle is a “researcher”. But last night I was thinking about it more. First off, why (other than it would not make any sense as a show) bring all the FTL people back to SB if Z’s ultimate goal is to make it so Regina is never born? Because it’s NOT Belle’s brain (or a brain of anyone from FTL) that she needs. It’s EMMA’S brain. If she needs Emma’s then she needs Emma to have a reason to go to SB – therefore she brings everyone back, she sends Hook a note and potion to get Emma. Then I was thinking “well no, she had Walsh in NYC to watch Emma. Then again maybe it was to make sure Emma stayed in NYC. I also wonder if Walsh – even though he was under control of the WW, said that thing about how Emma couldn’t leave it alone (or whatever he said right before he turned into the monkey) meaning that he didn’t want her to leave because he knew it was a trick by the WW to get her to go back to SB.
My other theory is that Hook is working with the WW and is in cahoots with her. As you remember Hook said himself back in S2 that he’s all about whatever furthers his own goals. He may have found out about the WW’s plans and aligned himself with her to get Emma back to SB so that he would not wind up dead, or worse, by WW’s hand.

Anyway that’s my theory/theories. Will be interesting to see if it plays out that way.

Also I am curious if the reason the magic shoes (slippers, whatever they are called) were silver because red ones would be a trademark or copyright violation? Or are there more than one magical pair of shoes?

So glad to finally have my questions concerning Zelena and her agenda answered! Thank you, OUAT for giving that bit of information! Also I was shocked that Regina gave her heart to Robin! She literally put her heart in his hands! Yay! Well, yay for now anyway! I adore Regina and I want her to find happiness for at least one episode! I like Robin Hood because of his relationship with his son. He loves that little boy and shows it. I would so love for Regina to be apart of that. May she please have love and happiness for real in at least one episode? Maybe two, if it is not asking for too much?
Oh and for the love of fettuccine will somebody please take that dagger from that wretched witch? I am so sick of her and that blasted dagger and seeing Rumple under her control! *screams*

I really liked this episode! It was great to finally see OZ and to find out that Walsh was the Wizard!! I was not expecting that at all. The graveyard scene was beautiful but also sad b/c Rumple didn’t get to attend his sons’s funeral.
I really like the Regina/Hood dinamic, idk why people think it is ooc for Regina, I mean, we saw how difficult she was in the EF when she first met him. But now she’s gotten back the thing/person she loves most; so, of course she’s a little bit more open to the idea of love. And you can’t deny the chemistry between Lana and Sean, it’s amazing!!!
Now the scenes with Hook and Henry were really sweet, why’s there so much Hook hate, I’ll never know… Even though Emma is so guarded you can see the pull between them and it goes beyond physical attraction, she just trusted her TL/heart to Hook. She thanks him but doesn’t even touch him or addresses the huge elephant in the room and he’s still there, by her side, man I really love this couple.
Anyway, thanks Matt for the recap, brilliant as always! Looking forward to your scoop on the next episode!!!

Overall, I though the episode was just okay. I think I expected too much with Zelena’s background storyline. I expected it to be more interesting, especially why she loved Rumple. I get why Belle loves Rumple, but he has zero personality appeal to me as The Dark One, but I guess we’re supposed to assume that Zelena is so desperate for love and attention that she lashed on to the one person who showed interest in her. I did love the Walsh as the Wizard twist. I do like the idea of Zelena’s plan succeeding, because then we’ll at least get to see how people’s lives would have been different. I’m a sucker for a good “what if” episode. But I hope it is just an episode or two, and that’s not what next season is about, trying to put the timeline back. I don’t think that’ll work for an entire season.

I was happy to see Tink back, and wish the episode played more on her relationship with Regina.The reveal of their past was one of my favorite parts of the first half of the season. Since some of the spoilers suggested Hook is being set up or actually working with the Wicked Witch, I’m hoping next week we find out what’s that all about.

And this is why I do not ship. Oy Vey!!! Now more importantly, I’ve had one foot out the door for a long while now with this show but I’m happy to say that this Wizard of Oz story line has me interested again. I’m really enjoying it.